One of the co-hosts, Steve Davis, said that he watched a small portion of the Lady Terps victory over Louisville in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament game on Monday night. He said that he did not like to watch women's sports because they were boring. He further stated that he liked watching the men's college basketball teams play because, in his words, "they can do things that I can't". The women, he said, do things that "he could do". He further stated that the number one high school boy's team in Maryland (he did not say who that was), would have no problem defeating the Lady Terps. This mystery male team would have "no problem" defeating the Lady Terps, who have won 26 games this season and have advanced to the "Final Four" in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament -- I only wish they could arrange that game. I would pay to watch.
He did say, however, that he enjoyed watching one particular women's player because she "is so attractive". Through this remark, it is not a stretch to conclude that this particular athlete is not respected for her abilities, but is instead objectified because she is good-looking. Perhaps most infuriating, though, is what happened after Mr. Davis continued to opine about why the women's basketball games are so inferior to the men. A listener to the show texted a message to Mr. Davis that asked, "and did you watch the Lifetime channel after you watched the Lady Terps"? This comment insinuates that if Mr. Davis, or any man, watches females play a competitive sport, it makes them less masculine. It also mocks men who may enjoy watching the Lady Terps play basketball, by equating watching competitive female sports with watching traditionally female television channel.
As a female athlete, it is discouraging to hear comments of this nature. All college athletes work exceptionally hard and are in incredible physical condition. Where Mr. Davis went wrong was when he criticized and embarrassed female athletes by diminishing their accomplishments. I won't mention that the Maryland's men's basketball team has failed to make the NCAA tournament for the last seven years. I shouldn't have to. I am a sports fan -- and I know how difficult it is to compete. Evidently, Mr. Davis has forgotten.
I don't watch sports that much, but I know about the amount of time and dedication the athletes put into their team and the sport.
ReplyDeleteIt really shows how ignorant Steve Davis is for making comments like these. I don't like how he can put down a women's sport, yet men's sport can be uneventful sometimes. Basketball is the same sport whether it's being played by a man or a woman.
And agreeing with your comment, he really did forget how awesome the Lady Terps successes have come! They really deserve to be in the Final Four.
My dad knew a woman who played tennis for Florida, and said she was so much better than him. It really goes to show that men are not necessarily the best at everything.